12

He finally looked at me, his expression intense. “it must be nice toying with me and getting away with it?”

I smirked, shrugging a little. “I like to think I’m just adding a bit of excitement.”

There was the faintest twitch of a smile on his face, though his eyes stayed guarded. “You definitely have a unique way of making an entrance.”

“Life’s too short to be predictable,” I shot back, meeting his gaze.

He moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate until he was standing right by the pool’s edge. His eyes held mine, and there was a tension that sent a chill down my spine.

“You’re doing all this because you think I wouldn’t kill you, aren’t you?” His gaze was sharp.

I pushed myself up a little, meeting his look head-on. “Wrong. I’m doing this because I know you wouldn’t kill me.”

Silence stepped in as we both stared at each other quietly, he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a stack of photos. Without saying a word, he crouched down, letting the photos fall gently onto the water’s surface. I watched them drift, a strange feeling twisting in my stomach.

“Take a look, Amelia,” he said in a calm voice that felt anything but reassuring. “Tell me if the person in those photos looks familiar.”

I picked up one of the photos, and my heart dropped. It was my mother. It was an image of her getting into a cab, something that must’ve been taken not long ago.

I looked up at him, my voice shaky. “Where did you get this?”

His lips curved into a cold smile, seeing how much the photo had on me, “Since I couldn’t kill you, I thought someone else might be better suited to face the consequences of your actions. She is your family, after all.”

The weight of his words hit me like a punch. I clutched the photo tighter, a mix of fear and anger rising inside me as I tried to process what this meant for both of us.

My heart was pounding as I stared at the photo in my hand, Kai knew exactly what he was doing, and it made me angry. I’d always been protective of her, despite everything between us being a mess. I knew she’d been through so much, and the thought of her being dragged into my mistakes made me want to strangle this man to death right now.

“Why are you involving my mother in this?” My voice shook, a mix of anger and fear.

Kai’s eyes were cold and steady as he answered, “Consider it a lesson in the consequences of your actions. I want you to understand that your choices don’t just affect you.”

My grip on the photo tightened. Part of me was ready to scream at him, but the other part knew that losing control wouldn’t help. “This is between you and me. I got myself into this mess—you don’t need to use her against me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though I felt anything but.

Kai’s small smile faded, his face growing serious as he pushed  a lose strand of my hair behind my earlobe  “I’m not using her against you, Amelia. I’m reminding you that your actions have a ripple effect, and sometimes others pay the price. I know it isn’t fair, but sometimes, life isn’t fair”

I glared at him, my voice dropping low against my wish, “So, what do you want from me now?”

His gaze didn’t waver. “I expect submission, Amelia. Complete submission. Is that too much to ask?”

“Fine,” I replied, my voice sharp. “As long as you keep my mother out of this. Is that a deal?”

He gave a small smirk. “I don’t make deals, Amelia. And just in case you didn’t realize—this isn’t a negotiation. It’s a command, for the safety of those you care about.” With that, he turned and walked towards the door, leaving me standing by the pool with my thoughts spinning. I watched him go, feeling a mixture of fear, anger, and regret. The photo floating in the water felt like a bitter reminder of the mess i got myself into.

\[INSERT\]

Don Alessandro leaned against a polished wooden table, a photograph in his hand as he spoke to Marco, his trusted right-hand man. The room was dim and filled with the thick scent of cigars.

“So, Marco,” Don Alessandro began, his voice calm and calculating, “tell me everything you’ve found out about her.”

Marco glanced at the photo and cleared his throat. “Her name is Amelia Carrington. She’s American. She’s a private investigator, a teacher, and—most importantly—a hacker. She’s one of kai’s most valuable asset right now. She even managed to hack into his main account, which was supposed to be impossible. I think that’s why Kai decided to keep her around.”

Don Alessandro’s brow furrowed, his fingers tapping on the table in a steady rhythm. “A hacker, you say? I suppose that’s the reason he let her live.”

“Yes, with her on the team, things could run smoother for Kai,” Marco replied cautiously.

“That’s exactly what I don’t want,” Don Alessandro cut in sharply. “Kai’s been growing wings lately, making decisions without my input. He thinks he doesn’t need me, but he’ll learn. I want him to see that no matter how old he gets, he’ll always depend on me, he’ll come back to me when things starts to fall apart. Anyone who helps him will fall with him.”

Marco hesitated, then asked, “So, what should we do about the girl?”

Don Alessandro walked over to the window, lighting a cigarette. He took a slow drag, the glow casting a shadow across his face. After a long exhale, he turned back to Marco, his expression unreadable. “Give her an offer. If she refuses, you know what to do.”

THE NEXT DAY

The next evening, I woke up to a soft glow flooding my room. The sunset was beautiful, but it didn’t make up for how tired I felt. I hadn’t slept well the night before—not with Kai’s threats replaying in my head. Just when I thought I could catch a break, there was a loud, obnoxious knock at my door.

I groaned, rolling over to bury my face in my pillow. Maybe if I ignored it, they’d go away. But whoever it was didn’t get the hint—the knocking grew louder and more persistent.

“What now?” I mumbled, dragging myself upright. My hair was a mess, and my brain was barely catching up with reality.

The door swung open, and Carlos stepped in, looking way too amused for someone who just ruined my nap.

“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Time to get up.”

I shot him a glare. “Do you even know what time it is?”

“Six in the evening,” he replied smugly. “And you’ve been asleep all day. But don’t get too comfortable—you’ve got an event to attend.”

“Event?” I echoed, squinting at him like he’d lost his mind. “What event?”

He smirked. “Kai wants you there. Something about a meeting.”

My heart sank. Of course, it was Kai. “Why me? What does he want now?”

Carlos shrugged like it was no big deal. “You’re his hacker. If you’re invited, you’re needed.”

I groaned louder this time, flopping back onto my bed. “I barely slept last night, and now he expects me to jump into whatever death trap he’s set up? This guy’s unbelievable.”

Carlos didn’t even flinch. “Kai’s orders. Freshen up and wear something black. You’ve got an hour.”

Before he could leave, I called after him. “Wait. What’s the dress code?”

He turned, his smirk widening. “It’s a club event, so dress like you belong. And remember, black only. You know how Kai feels about bright colors.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “And what exactly am I doing at this ‘event’?”

His expression shifted, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You’ll be undercover as Kai’s girlfriend. He’s meeting with some opposing mafia members for a deal. Your job is to play along, act normal. But that’s not all. When the time’s right, you’ll slip away, find their armory, and hack into the system. I’ll help you.”

I stared at him, my stomach twisting. “And if I get caught?”

Carlos hesitated, then shrugged. “you wouldn’t.” he said with a small smile

He turned to leave, but his words left me frozen. My head was spinning. Going undercover in a club full of mafia members wasn’t just reckless—it was suicidal.

“That bastard really wants me dead,” I muttered under my breath.

Still, I didn’t have a choice. Not with my mother’s life dangling in Kai’s hands. Gritting my teeth, I got up and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.

After drying off, I slipped into a black dress—fitted, square-necked, and way more daring than anything I’d normally wear. I curled my hair, keeping the waves loose, and did my makeup: just enough to look polished but not overdone. Once I was ready, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.

But then my phone buzzed. I froze when I saw who was calling. My boss.

Why now? I hadn’t been to work in weeks, but something told me this wasn’t just a check-in. Taking a deep breath, I answered.

“Hello?” I said cautiously.

“Amelia,” his gruff voice came through, no time wasted. “We need to talk.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yes, sir.”

My pulse quickened as he continued, and I braced myself, knowing this was just the beginning of an already impossible night.

The phone felt heavier in my hand as my boss’s voice echoed through the line.

“My dear Amelia, it’s been a while since we last met. Did you decide to quit?”

I could hear the smirk in his tone, and it made my stomach turn. Quit? If only it were that simple. I stayed silent for a moment, his words sinking in. Quitting wasn’t an option, not with Kai holding all the cards. Working for him was like walking a tightrope over a pit of fire, and I wasn’t even getting paid—not yet, at least.

Sure, we had an agreement. A lump-sum payment after the job was done. But trusting a man like Kai? I’d be an idiot to bank on that. If I eventually make it out alive, I’d need something stable, something legal. Returning to my old job as a private investigator might be my only option. I couldn’t go back to teaching after what happened at the school, and stripping was completely off the table—especially after the danger it dragged into my life. And hacking? Never again. That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.

When I started hacking, I thought the worst-case scenario was getting caught by the police and spending a few years in jail. But now? Now I was in something far worse—embroiled in the mafia, working for a man who treated life like a disposable commodity. If I had a choice, I’d take prison over this any day.

“Amelia?” my boss prompted, dragging me from my spiraling thoughts.

“I’m not quitting,” I finally said, my voice steady. “At least, not yet.”

“Well then,” he said, mockery dripping from his tone, “you should be carrying out your mission since you’ve decided to keep the job, right?”

“Yes, sir,” I muttered. “I’m currently working for Kai Alessandro as his hacker.”

I expected him to react, maybe ask how I ended up entangled with the Alessandro family, but he didn’t even blink.

“I knew you were capable,” he said smoothly. “I was never wrong to hire you. Earn his trust, Amelia. Make sure he’s wrapped around your finger. Then strike when he least expects it. I’ll be expecting good news soon.”